Means for interconnecting elongated flexible members in parallel



May 12, 1942. J. J. BURKE 2,233,042

MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING ELONGATED FLEXIBLE MEMBERS IN PARALLEL Filed June 24, 1940 FIG. 2. FIG. 3.

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Patented May 12, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING ELON- GATED FLEXIBLE MEMBERS IN PAR- ALLEL John Joseph Burke, New Haven, Conn, assignor to The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 24, 1940, Serial No. 342,185-

19 Claims.

to provide a flat flexible member for certain uses, and it is the practice particularly, to arrange a series of wire ropes in parallel to provide a flat wire rope sling. Heretofore, the ropes or flexible members were usually successively arrangedand sewn together in parallel so as to provide a unitary flat rope assembly or sling. Such flat rope assemblies were usually made of fourstrand ropes having a relatively longlay to facilitate the sewing operation. Such sewing means for joining the ropes produced a relatively stiff and relatively rigid assembly and was not as flexible as it should be, particularly if it were to be used as a sling. Also, the sewing of the ropes together tended to cause the completed assembly to curl, unless the proper care was taken in the sewing operation. In sewing the ropes together, there necessarily resulted a sewing wire selvedge along the edge ofthe assembly or sling which naturally was subjected to an excessive amount of wear due to the fact that it'was ex.- posed and protruded from the edge thereof. Furthermore, if the sewing failed the entire assembly was affected throughout the length thereof so that the ropes separated, and such either necessitated the'replacing thereof with a new assembly or sling, or removing the assembly or sling entirely from its place of use and resewing the same which was very unsatisfactory,

In the present'invention there is provided an improved means for interconnecting the series of wire ropes or flexible members in parallel which eliminates the sewing entirely, and there is provided a connecting means which is disposed within the assembly or sling and unexposed thereby eliminating the above named disadvantages. Also, in this invention there is provided a connecting means which can be used with multistrand wire ropes or flexible members having any suitable lay thereby providing an assembly or sling which is substantially as flexible as the individual wire ropes or flexible members from which it is made.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved means for interconnecting a series of wire ropes or'flexible p lel members in parallel which is arranged within the therewith;

completed assembly or sling and at the same time, a means which will hold the individual ropes or flexible members in their proper positions.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved means for interconnecting a series of wire ropes or flexible members in parallel which is simple and inexpensive in. its construction and use anda connecting means that can be easily and conveniently applied,

It is afurther object of this invention to provide an improved means for interconnecting a series of wire ropes or flexible members in parallel which securely holds the rope or flexible members together and maintains them in contact with each other and at the same time permits them to move ina plane parallel to each other whereby the individual ropes or flexible members of the. sling or assembly will be automatically adjusted relative to the load to which the same is subjected so that the load will be evenly distributed to all of the ropes or flexible members of the assembly or sling throughout the length 7 thereof.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention willbe more apparent in the course of the following specification and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of. a pair of multi-strand' wire ropes or cables showing the improved inter,- connecting means of my invention incorporated Figure 2 is. a similar view partly in section;

Figure 3 is. a plan view showing the use of the improved interconnecting, means of my invention for connecting three or more ropes in paral- Figure 4 is a plan view showing the preferred type of interconnecting means of my invention;

Figure 5 is a sectionalview taken on line V.V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end View thereof; Figure 7 is a plan view showing the construc tionof an interconnecting means in accordance with myinvention for interconnecting three or moreflexible members Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified form of interconnecting means of my invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional IX--I-X of Figure 8; Figure 1-0 is an end view thereof;

Figure 11 is a plan view of another modified view taken on line ing to the present invention, there is arranged throughout the lengthof the wire ropes or flexible members, a plurality of spaced apart interconnecting members 3. Each of the intercon necting members consists of a plurality 'of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions 4 which are interconnected by means of an interconnecting portion 5 arranged therebetween. Each of the engaging portions 4 is disposed within one of each of the successively arranged flexible members and adapted to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relationship to each other. I r

The preferred form'of interconnecting member 3, of my invention, as shown inFigures 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawing, consists of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged cylindrical-shaped engaging portions 6 which are interconnected preferably by means of flat plate-like portions 1 which are disposed preferably in a plane parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the-ropes which they are adapted to join. a

The form of construction shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawing is similar to the preferred form previously described, but differs therefrom in that the cylindrical engaging portions 6 are interconnected by a plurality of'flexible members 8, namely, three relatively small diameter wire ropes in the presentinstance. While the cylindrical portions 6 are shown interconnected by means of flatplate-like portions or flexible wire ropes, it will be understood that these cylindrical portions may be interconnected by any other suitable means. Likewise, in this construction the interconnecting flexible mnembers or ropes 8 are disposed in a planesubstantially parallel to the angular plane offthe lay of the strands of the ropes which theyare adapted tojoin.

These types of interconnecting members are applied to the series of wire ropes or flexible members to be connected in parallel by cutting out the hemp center or core strand of each of the wire ropes for a distance substantiallyegual' to the length of the cylindrical portions'6'. The interconnecting member is then insertedbetween and through the outerstrands of the series of ropes thatare adapted to be joined by spreading the strands and the cylindrical portions 6 are disposed in the center of the flexiblemembers or wire ropes in the spaces provided by cutting away the portion thereof. That is, one of the cylindrical portions of each of the interconnecting members is disposed within the space or pocket, thus provided therein, within one of each of the successively arranged wire ropes. such an assembly, it will be seen' that the interconnecting plate-like portions 1 and. the flexible wire ropes 8 between the cylindrical portions 6 areldisposed between any two of the strands'o'f the ropes in a plane substantially parallel thereto so asnot to distort the same, thereby providing-an evenjouter surface throughout the connecting area. From such a construction, it will be :se enthat the wire without removing the sling or assembly from its place of use. While the interconnecting means of j ropes are held securely together in parallel relation with each other so as t provide a unitary flat rope assembly.

In the modification shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 of the drawing, the engaging portion 4 consist of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged hook-like or channel-like portions 9 having an opening H! in one side thereof which are interconnected preferably by means of relatively thin plate-like portions I2. In thi construction, the entire interconnecting member is preferably made from a relatively thin sheet-like material which is preferably inherently resilient. Likewise,'in.this construction, the interconnecting portions 12 are also disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands .of the wire rope which they are adapted to join.

This latter type of interconnecting member of the present invention is adapted to be applied as before by spreading the outer strands of the series'of wire ropes and inserting the flexible member therebetween and therethrough, and the core strands of the wire ropes are insertedthrough the openings [0 of the channel-like portions 9 in which they are to be finally disposed. That is, the core strand of each of the flexible members is disposed in one of the channelfportions of each of the interconnecting members; Thus, in this construction it will be 'seen that the engaging portions 9 fit around, the core strand and are disposed in the center of the rope and are particularly adaptable. for joining wire ropes inparallel having a wire'core center. This type of construction is particularly adaptable for sling purposes or in an assembly where a great amount of flexibility i desire-d. v

Asa result of this invention, it will be seen that a multiplicity of relatively small flexible ropes may be joined in parallel and not only afford the flexibility of the individual small ropes but also the strength of one large rope, and at the same time, theropes are held firmly together, so that the multiple members act in complete balance. It will also be seen that the interconnecting portions connecting the engaging portion, as has been stated,'are,disposed at the= same angle as that'ofjthe lay of the ropes or pliable members which they are adapted to connect. This is one of the most important aspects of thepresent invention, in that it allows theinterconnecting :member to automatically adjust itself when the rope is flexed so thatno bindin stress is set up within the same and each rope is. thereby automatically adjusted and the load to whichthe assembly or sling is subjected is distributed "evenly to all of the wireropes throughout the length thereof. It-willbeunderstood that it is desirable to use alternate right and left lay ropes in the. assembly or sling so that thelays will be adjacent and in the same plane thereby permitting free movement of .the interconnecting webs or portions and toeliminate any distortion at that point where it is disposed between the strands thereof.-.

Y It will'be seen further that if any particular connecting member fails itwill not affect the other-connecting members as in the casof a sewed: assembly,- and the broken connecting member can be quicklyand convenientlyr-eplaced my invention shown inte-rconnectingtwo or three flexible members, thi is merely for the purrangedthroughout the length of said flexible pose of illustration, and it will be understood that my improved interconnecting means may be so constructed as to interconnect any number of flexible members in parallel, as desired.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of i1- lustration and description, and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: Y

1. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arranged throughout the length of said flexible members, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged interconnected engaging portions with each of said portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members and adapted to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relationship to each other.

2. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprisingya plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arranged throughout the length of said flexible members, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged interconnected engaging portions with each of said portions disposed Within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members substantially centrally thereof and adapted to ccmerate therewith to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to eachother.

3. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members ar'- ranged throughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart interconnected successively arranged enlarged portions with each of said enlarged portions disposedsubstantially in the center of one of each of the flexible members and adapted to cooperate'therewith so as to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other. i

'4. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arranged throughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each or" said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged interconnected channel-like portions with the core strand of each of said flexible members disposed in the channel-like portion of one of each of said interconnecting members, said interconnecting members adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the flexible members securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

5. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other. comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members armembers for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions which are interconnected by means arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands of the flexible members which they join, each of said engaging portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members and adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

6. Means for interconnecting a plurality of "elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprisinga plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arranged throughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members "consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions which are interconnected by means of a flat plate-like portion arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands of the flexible members which they join, each of said engaging portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members and adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

7. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arrangedthroughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged channel-like portions which are interconnected tially a plane parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands of the flexible members which they join with the core strand of each "of said flexible members disposed in the channel portions of one of each of said interconnecting members, said interconnecting members adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the flexible members securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

8. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extending members arranged throughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged enlarged cylindrical portions, means for interconnecting said enlarged cylindrical portions, each of said enlarged engaging portions disposed in a space in the core of one of each of the successive aligned flexible members which space is provided by removing a portion of the core strand therefrom and with the interconnecting means extending between the outer strands of said flexible members, said enlarged engaging portions adapted to cooperate with the inner sides of the outer strands of said flexible members to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

9. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other comprising a plurality of spaced apart laterally extendingmembers arranged throughout the length of said flexible members for interconnecting the same, each of said interconnecting members consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions which are interconnected by means of a plurality of-flexible members arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands of the elongated flexible members which they join, each of said engaging portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned elongated flexible members and adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

10. Means for interconnecting a series of successively parallel aligned elongated multi-strand flexible members comprising a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged channel-like engaging portions, each of which is adapted to be disposed around the core strand within one of the successive flexible members, and means which is adapted to be disposed between the strands of each of said members for interconnecting said channel-like portions.

11. Means for interconnecting a series of successively parallel aligned elongated multi-strand flexible members comprising a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions which are adapted to be disposed within the successive flexible members, and means arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the angular lay of the strands of the flexible members it is proposed to interconnect and which is adapted to be disposed between the strands of each of said members for interconnectingsaid engaging portions.

12. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other,comprising at least one laterally extending interconnecting member arranged transversely of said flexible members, said interconnecting member consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged interconnected engaging portions with each of said portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members and adapted to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

13. Means for interconnecting a plurality of elongated multi-strand-flexible members arranged in side by side relationship substantially parallel to each other, comprising at least one laterally extending interconnecting member arranged transversely of said flexible members, said interconnecting member consisting of a plurality of spaced apart successively arranged engaging portions which are interconnected by means arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the angular plane of the lay of the strands of the flexible members which they join with each of said engaging portions disposed within one of each of the successive aligned flexible members and adapted to cooperate therewith to hold the same securely in substantially parallel relation to each other.

14. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart engaging portions, and a connecting portion arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, each of said connecting portions arranged angularly relative to the axes of the flexible members adapted to be interconnected. V p

15. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart engaging portions, and a flat plate-like connecting portion arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, said connecting portions arranged angu- 'larly relative to the axes of the flexible members adapted to be interconnected.

16. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart engaging portions, and a plurality of flexible members arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, said flexible members between any two of said engaging portions being disposed in a plane angularly to the axes of the flexible members adapted to be interconnected.

17. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart substantially cylindrical-shaped engaging portions, and a connecting portion arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, each of said connecting portions arranged angularly relative to the axes of said cylindrical-shaped engaging portions.

18. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart substantially cylindrical-shaped engaging portions, and a flat plate-like connecting portion arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, each of said connecting portions arranged angularly relative to the axes of said cylindrical-shaped engaging portions.

19. A fastening device for interconnecting a plurality of flexible members in parallel consisting of a plurality of spaced apart substantially cylindrical-shaped engaging portions, and a plurality of flexible members arranged between said engaging portions for interconnecting the same successively one to the other, said flexible members between any two of said engaging portions being disposed in a plane angularly to the axes of said cylindrical-shaped engaging portions.

JOHN JOSEPH BURKE. 

